WHAT HAPPENED: Prior to 2022, half of Nick Kyrgios’ eight US Open appearances had ended in first-round losses.
Not this year.
Kyrgios has been a different player—and a different man—this season and it shows in his results. He reached this year’s Wimbledon final, and leads the ATP Tour in victories since June, racking up a title in D.C. and an impressive upset of world No.1 Daniil Medvedev in Montreal in August.
On Friday night in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the 23rd-seeded Aussie continued his torrid tennis as he waltzed past American J.J. Wolf, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, in a cool one hour and 54 minutes to reach the Round of 16 at the US Open for the first time.
“At the US Open this is the furthest I’ve ever been so it’s a special year for me already, and hopefully I can keep it going,” Kyrgios said on court after the match.
Just 60 minutes into the encounter Kyrgios had already raced out to a two-sets-to-love lead, thanks to 13 aces and three breaks of serve that allowed the Aussie to operate comfortably from ahead.
After falling behind by a break early in the opening set, Wolf had two break points with Kyrgios serving at 2-1, and another at 3-2. The Aussie swept those chances aside in rapid fashion and wiggled out of trouble again in the third set, rallying from 0-40 as he saved four break points to hold for 2-0.
That devastating game took what wind was left out of Wolf’s sails. The 23-year-old wild card has put together another promising performance in New York, reaching the third round for the second time in as many appearances, but he was no match for a switched-on Kyrgios.
Kyrgios saved all seven break points he faced in the contest and cracked 36 winners, including 21 aces to take his tournament total to 64.
WHAT IT MEANS: The popcorn clash that fans circled last Thursday, when the men’s singles draw was released, is now nearly a reality. Kyrgios’ 11th career US Open victory sets up a potential clash with top seed and defending champion Medvedev in the Round of 16.
If the world No. 1 can push past China’s Wu Yibing in the final match in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night, the pair will meet for the fifth time, and the third time this season. (Note: Medvedev defeated Wu in straight sets, with the match finishing after midnight.)
“I’m really excited to play Medvedev—if he’s winning,” Kyrgios told the crowd.
Kyrgios, who owns a 2-2 lifetime record against reigning No.1-ranked players, clipped the wings of Medvedev in their last encounter, less than a month ago in Montreal.
Earlier this season it was Medvedev who claimed their only meeting at a Grand Slam in four sets, in the second round at this year’s Australian Open in January.
MATCH POINT: Kyrgios improves to 34-9 in 2022, compared to a combined 13-11 across 2020 and 2021. After going nine consecutive Slams without reaching the Round of 16, the talented Aussie has now achieved the feat at his last two majors.
